Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-09-28
".
THE KINGS CLEMENCY.

set of rusty letters and handcuffs--closed
upon all that | called dear, and l was left
outside.
The young man, John Beer, the same
whose appetite for brandy had done us so
much mischief, found me a lodging with
respectable people, and waited III trouble
of soul for the morning.
At 8, after waiting outside for two long
hours, / O obtained admission TO the prison.
I went in trembling and expected to see
the prisoners jangling their chains in des-
pair. l looked for sighs and prayers, for
the tears of repentance and the grOans OF
remorse. | found nothing of the kind.
The courtyard was half full Of men who
were all laughing, talking, drinking and
singing.
Nv own party were not In the courtyard.
Dan CULVER and his sons were not COM
mon criminals. They had obtained on
paymeuS of certain fees, the use of the
ward al to themselves, where | found
them. 1t was a large and cheerful room
but disigured by the OdiOus bars over the
windows. Dan was pacing backward and
forward; Job and Jepthah were sitting
side by side in one corner, their hands
folded in silence and resignation; Will
was at the table writing.
we must be very clear and precise
about the statement, DAN" he was say
ing. There must he no possible misun-
Outstanding. They must be made to see
that this is no cock and bull story, got up
by us to help us out of our scrape."
Dan nodded reflectively.
Now this is what | have Written
Pleasance, you have come to see us in our
temporary home. Limited the accOmmO'
dating, but we must make the best OF 1t.
Sit down, child. while we finish our bust
ness. Now Dan.
This is the statement Of me, Daniel
CULVER, of Rousdon farm, parish OF
RousdOn, near the town of Lyme Regis.
on Wednesday evening, October 81,
in tie year 1903, | was on board my boat,
the Dancing Polly, Off the coast of France,
hOmeward bound. / was running a cargo
of brandy, in the landing of which | was
caught and arrested by the revenue officers
and am now; with my two sons and a
young man who was staying in my house,
committed to trial for tnat Otfense.
1--WE took in our cargo ut Bartleur, on
Wednesday morning. We started, the
wind being then light, but atterward
fr~eshening, and southeast by south-a ia
vOrable wind for us, but bad for the ships
we met later on in the channel.
"'Ten miles, or ~thereabouts. due north
from Point Barlleur, they were-three
men O. war, eight frigateS and small craft.
They were heating mp channel, apparently
west by nGrth, though the wind was dead
against them, and they was lying French
cOlOrs.
"'On the Dancing Polly We was about
halt a mile to starboard of the enemy's
feet. One of the ships hailed us to haul
down and lay to; hut we held on, seeing
the breeze was t~reshening and all i'll our
favor.
"At 3o'clock or so we made ROusden
bay, intending to send ON news of the enc
my's fleet ~ o o rs we could. Unfortu-
nately we were caught by the officers and
arrested. So have lost no time in pnt-
ting on paper the observations We made as
to the whereabouts of the enemy.
"'I am in the hope that the intelligence
may prove of use to his majesty's govern
ment, and that the diligenceI have used
in forwarding il immediately may he taken
into account against the fact of my having
broken the law in my venture to the
French coast"
al don't think, Dam" said Will, after
carefully reading reading the whole, that
we can do much more good to the doCu-
ment. There is the information, fresh and
valuable and trustworthy. Nelson would
like it if the officials do not; but they
would not dare to shelve it. And now,
Dan, you must sign"
Dan GulliveI, after making the careful
preparations for writing common to people
of that time unaccustOmed to sign their
names, perpetrated q form which he meant
to stand for Daniel CULVER, while job
and Jephthah looked on in silent admira,
ton. Anything their father did was great
and beautiful. For that parental respect
honor their memory.
That done, Now, PleaSance, said Will,
who had taken the entire command of the
business, please 90 into the town, ascer,
tain who is the best lawyer in the town
the gentlefolk's lawyer. Go, call at hi.
office, and bring him here without q mo
ment's delay"
Tell him not to fear about money, TO,
there is plenty under the hearthstOne, ,
said Dan.
Ii was not difficult to find the best law
yer in Dorchester. Everybody sent m,
to Mr.. Copas. | found him an elderl,
gentleman who wore a large wigand LOOKED
like a dignitary of the church.
This sort of case does not lie in the or
binary course Of my practice" he said; ''
recommend you to 90 to Nc. Ferret, who's
clients chiefly consist Of
Il think, sir" | said, that when you
know who one of the smugglers is yor
will not refuse to act for us. Pray, pra,
come and see him. Aud, oh! if it is tn
money you are thinking OF, Dan says Their
is plenty of money under the hearth
StOne.'
MI. Copas smiled.
at had better be in the bank, child
Well, | will go with you. But do no
promise anything"
We found Will alone in the ward, still
busy with paper and pen. He was grave
than usual, as was only natural, but whel
his eyes met mine he smiled in his quie
ana ~ mpdlnttlC way.
Now, my good fellow" said Mr.. Copa
in a ~patronizing and friendly tone, tel
me what you have to say, but do no
waste time, and tell the truth"
what l have to say is. Mr.. Copas,
said Will, that l am a gentleman VIII
has got into a scrape with three mos
worthy smugglers."
"a gentleman? Well, You do not lOol
like a sailor. But go on"
my name is Campion. ! am the cnl
son of the late Sir Godfrey Campion, ant
the chief partner in the firm Of
Good heayens! And you a smuggler?'
"Well. not exactly. But l went for
venture with Dan CULVER, and we Wer
all caught. That is the story"
"But yOu-you, my dear sir-the influ
ence of your family must be brought +
bear. Your case must be separated"
Here Will interposed.
Il cannot separate my case from tn
poor fellows with me" he said. 81 canno
have any family interest employed, becaus
above all, my mother must not know O
this-this disgrace. Ishall stand the tria
with the others. Fortunately. "-he too
up the papers which he had written an,
Dan had signed-'I have something her